Welcome to wns

New Family Information

We can't wait to see you!

Welcome to WNS! We are so excited to have you join us. We recognize that schools admit not only students but families as well, and we believe yours will be a wonderful addition to the WNS community.

We understand that joining a new school community can be a big transition, and we will help to make that transition as seamless as possible. This webpage contains information and resources to help guide you as you begin your WNS journey.

Mid-summer, you will receive a password giving you access to OnCampus, our school password-protected website. There, you will find information about lunch service options, Parent/Caregiver Group activities, the Parent/Caregiver Handbook, and other information that will help you and your child prepare for the new school year. Until then, this is your information hub.

Table of Contents

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Welcome Video

Welcome to WNS!

We have a lot of people who are excited to meet you! Take a look and see who you’ll get to know when you arrive!

2024-25 Calendar

We call this quick-reference calendar the At-A-Glance calendar. Feel free to bookmark or download and print it out. These dates are unlikely to change, but if they do, families will receive an email regarding the change. 

Click here

Upcoming Events & Save the Dates

We have a number of events leading up to the start of next school year that are intended to be informative, fun, and welcoming. We hope you’ll attend as many as feasible for you and your family! 

  • WNS Annual Gala & Auction, In-Flight Entertainment | Ebell of Los Angeles: Friday, April 19, 7:30pm – 11:30pm

The WNS Annual Gala & Auction is a special evening celebration of our entire community: our parents/caregivers, faculty, and staff come together for a night of entertainment, fundraising, food & drinks, and dancing. This includes our new families, too! Click here to view our Gala landing page for all the details. If you have any questions, please email gala@wns-la.org. 

  • Welcome Reception for Parents of New Students: Tuesday, May 14, 6pm – 7:30pm

Please save the date and join us to mingle and connect with other parents/caregivers of new students. We will make introductions to key members of our community and provide information about the coming school year. RSVP here. 

  • ECC Open House: Tuesday, May 21, 2:30pm – 4:00pm

The ECC Open House provides an opportunity for current parents/caregivers and students to visit their classrooms, tour other classrooms throughout the school, and celebrate the near completion of another tremendous year of learning and growing. New families are welcome to visit!

  • ECC Family Social: Saturday, June 1, 9:00am – 10:30am

Please mark your calendar for a morning of fun at our ECC playground. RSVP here. 

  • All School Block Party: Sunday, August 25

Come celebrate the start of the school year at our block party kick-off with activities, food, and lots of friends.

  • Start of School Kick-off Zoom Meetings: Wednesday, August  28, 4:45 – 5:30pm
  • ECC Playdates: Wednesday, August 28 

This is a casual opportunity to bring your child to visit their classroom and meet their teachers the day before school starts. This will be in the morning and times will be sent in August.

  • ECC FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Thursday, August 29 

Preschool & DK will open the school year on Thursday, August 29. The first day of school is a minimum day (half day).

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  • WNS Annual Gala & Auction, In-Flight Entertainment | Ebell of Los Angeles: Friday, April 19, 7:30pm – 11:30pm

The WNS Annual Gala & Auction is a special evening celebration of our entire community: our parents/caregivers, faculty, and staff come together for a night of entertainment, fundraising, food & drinks, and dancing. This includes our new families, too! Click here to view our Gala landing page for all the details. If you have any questions, please email gala@wns-la.org. 

  • Welcome Reception for Parents of New Students: Tuesday, May 14, 6pm – 7:30pm

Please save the date and join us to mingle and connect with other parents/caregivers of new students. We will make introductions to key members of our community and provide information about the coming school year. RSVP here.

  • K-8 Open House: Thursday, May 23, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

The K-8 Open House provides an opportunity for current parents/caregivers and students to visit their classrooms, tour other classrooms throughout the school, and celebrate the near completion of another tremendous year of learning and growing. New families are welcome to visit!

  • Kindergarten Family Social: Saturday, June 1, 10:00am – 11:30am

Please mark your calendar for a morning of fun at our kindergarten play yard. RSVP here. 

  • K-8 Host Students for New Students

In late spring, we will pair each new student with a host student/family or small group of students (pod). This will allow our new elementary and middle school families opportunities to connect over the summer more intimately before the start of school.

  • All School Block Party: Sunday, August 25

Come celebrate the start of the school year at our block party kick-off with activities, food, and lots of friends.

  • K-4 Classroom Drop in Time: Tuesday, August 27 

This is an optional casual visit with your child to see their classroom and meet their teachers the day before school starts. Times will be sent in August.

  • 5th Grade Meet & Greet on Zoom: Monday, August 26th

    This is an optional opportunity for a chance to connect with teachers one on one before the first day of school. A sign up sheet will be sent in August.

    Meet and Greets on Zoom: Monday, August 26 
  • Start of School Kick-off Zoom Meetings: Tuesday, August 27, 5-5:45pm
  • K-8 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Wednesday, August 28 

K-8 will open on Wednesday, August 28. The first day of school is a minimum day (half day).

  • WNS Annual Gala & Auction, In-Flight Entertainment | Ebell of Los Angeles: Friday, April 19, 7:30pm – 11:30pm

The WNS Annual Gala & Auction is a special evening celebration of our entire community: our parents/caregivers, faculty, and staff come together for a night of entertainment, fundraising, food & drinks, and dancing. This includes our new families, too! Click here to view our Gala landing page for all the details. If you have any questions, please email gala@wns-la.org. 

  • Welcome Reception for Parents of New Students: Tuesday, May 14, 6pm – 7:30pm

Please save the date and join us to mingle and connect with other parents/caregivers of new students. We will make introductions to key members of our community and provide information about the coming school year. RSVP here. 

  • K-8 Open House: Thursday, May 23, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

The K-8 Open House provides an opportunity for current parents/caregivers and students to visit their classrooms, tour other classrooms throughout the school, and celebrate the near completion of another tremendous year of learning and growing. New families are welcome to visit!

  • Rising 6th Grade Parent/Caregiver Meeting: Thursday, May 30, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Join us on campus for our Class of 2027 Middle School Transition Meeting (adults only). More information and an invitation will follow.

  • K-8 Host Students for New Students

In late spring, we will pair each new student with a host student/family or small group of students (pod). This will allow our new elementary and middle school families opportunities to connect over the summer more intimately before the start of school.

  • All School Block Party: Sunday, August 25

Come celebrate the start of the school year at our block party kick-off with activities, food, and lots of friends.

  • 6-8 Meet and Greets on Zoom: Monday, August 26 

This is an optional opportunity for a chance to connect with teachers one on one before the first day of school. A sign up sheet will be sent in August.

  • All 6th and New 7th Student Orientation: Tuesday, August 27 

There’s lots to learn about middle school. This two and a half hour orientation will give our middle schoolers a leg up on what they need to know for a successful start to the school year.

  • Start of School Kick-off Zoom Meetings: Tuesday, August 27, 6-6:45pm
  • K-8 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Wednesday, August 28 

K-8 will open on Wednesday, August 28. The first day of school is a minimum day (half day).

ECC (Preschool & DK) Required Licensing Forms

Please note, forms for the ECC (Early Childhood Center) are due by June 3, 2024 and should be submitted via the submission button below. 

Click here to download forms
Click here to submit completed forms

Kindergarten - 8th Grade Required Medical Forms

Please note, forms for K-8 are due by June 3rd, 2024 and should be submitted via the submission button below, or via email to Enjolie Gray at healthservices@wns-la.org. They can also be scanned and mailed to WNS, addressed to Enjolie Gray. 

Review required immunizations
Click here to access Report of Health Examination for School Entry Form
Click here to submit forms

Class Placement Information

Our process begins with faculty meeting to discuss placement and make preliminary groupings. Over the next few months, the student support team, specialist teachers, and administration review sections throughout our process. Final decisions rest with the administration.

Family input is considered a helpful part of our process. WNS is committed to a thoughtful and respectful process, and we thank you for your trust.

We ask that you focus any feedback on the best learning environments for your child. Please do not request specific teachers or classroom peers.

Below is a list of factors considered when creating our class sections:

Balance: We try to have groups that balance gender, race, ethnicity, learning style, and social/emotional development.
Academic Performance: We anticipate a range in every group and try to ensure students have academic peers. Academic performance and challenges are also important factors. Our goal is a high-functioning, heterogeneous group.
Social Dynamics: We strive for a well-rounded group in which children have connections and the opportunity to expand their circle of friends by reaching out to others with whom they are less acquainted. Classrooms may also add new students who come through our admissions process now and throughout the summer months.

It is also important to note that in grades K-5, students are grouped differently throughout the day and week. They encounter different classmates and teachers through reading and math groups (K-5) and specialist groups (2-5). In middle school, unique groups exist for math, Spanish, advisory, and electives. In other words, students spend a significant part of their day in groups other than their assigned class section.

You can expect to receive the class lists a few days before the 24-25 school year begins. We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about our class placement process and look forward to the remainder of the school year.

Westside Summer Program

We are so excited for the 2024 Westside Summer Program! Available for ECC and K-8 students, the summer program offers transitional courses to support students in preparing for the new school year, along with summer fun!

This year, the summer program will run for three weeks, from July 8 – July 26, 2024. 

Summer camp is open for registration now!

Learn More

Global Studies Program

The WNS Global Studies Program offers students in grades 6-8 the opportunity to take an immersive and educational trip – typically to a Spanish-speaking country – over the summer. Past trips have included: Panama, Peru, and most recently Spain and Portugal. 

While abroad, students and chaperones are led by an expert team assembled by EF Tours, a world leader in educational student travel.

In 2025, we are offering two trips: one to New York City and one to Cuba. At present, these trips are already fully subscribed but we would like to ensure any new students who would like to be added to the waitlist have the opportunity to do so. If this is the case, please contact Meaghan Mihalic, Global Studies Coordinator, at mmihalic@wns-la.org. 

2025 New York Trip (Spring Break)

2025 Cuba Trip (Summer)

Tuition Insurance and Billing Information

Below are links related to tuition that we hope you’ll find useful as you get acclimated and acquainted with the school. Feel free to bookmark or return to this page. 

Tuition Refund Plan (Insurance)
Set Up Blackbaud Tuition Management Account
Blackbaud Tuition Management FAQs

Costs Outside Tuition

Learn more about optional additional costs, for services such as Hot Lunch, After Class Enrichment (ACE), and the WNS morning bus service. 

Learn More

CUP Traffic Protocols & School Hours

An overview of school hours, pickup and dropoff times, the WNS rules of the road, and more. 

Learn More

WNS Spirit Wear

WNS also has a small spirit gear service! The are fully online and managed through the website vendor. Items purchased here can be worn for PE, on field trips, as well as every day! We hope you enjoy the options, and we will notify the community if/when new items are added.

Click here

Summer Reading Lists

Kindergarten Reading Lists

Click Here

Rising 1st Grade

Click Here

Rising 2nd Grade

Click Here

Rising 3rd Grade

Click Here

Rising 4th Grade

Click Here

Rising 5th Grade

Click Here

Rising Middle School Summer Reading

Click Here

FAQs

Early Childhood Center drop off and pickup times are staggered and occur between 8:30 am – 9:00 am and 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm, respectively.

For kindergarten through eighth grade, our school day begins at 8:10 am, with drop-off starting at 7:30 am. Dismissal times occur between 2:45 pm and 3:35 pm, depending on the grade level.

WNS offers early and late care through our ACE (After Class Enrichment) Program for all students Preschool-8. Early drop-off (free of charge) for ECC-8th students begins at 7:30 am. Late pick-up (for a fee) for all students extends until 5:30 pm.

For students 4 years and older, WNS offers morning bus service. For 2023-24, the bus routes serviced the following areas every day (please note, these routes and times are subject to change for 2024-25): 

North Route (Santa Monica/ Venice)

  • Walgrove Elementary – 7:25am pickup, 7:30am departure
  • Sawtelle & National (West LA) (Rite Aid & Staples) – 7:40am pickup, 7:45am departure

East Route (Inglewood/ Ladera Heights)

  • Regent & Market  (CVS Parking lot) – 7:10am pickup , 7:15am departure
  • Windsor Hills Elementary (East side of the school)- 7:25am pickup, 7:30am departure 
  • Ladera Park – La Brea & 62nd (Yvonne B Burke Senior & Community Center) – 7:35am pickup, 7:40am departure

South Route (South Bay/ Playa del Rey)

  • Aviation and PCH – Trader Joes Parking Lot (Redondo Beach) – 7am pick up, 7:05 departure
  • Pacific Elementary (Manhattan Beach) – 7:25am pick up, 7:30am departure 

Forming a carpool or riding the WNS morning bus is one of the best things you can do to help our school as well as reduce your carbon footprint!

The cost for the bus service is $1200 per student for students riding up to five days a week or $750 per student for students riding three days a week or less (support available for students receiving financial assistance).

For preschool and DK, families will have the opportunity to connect with other families in their grades at the Welcome Reception for Parents of New Students (5/14/24) or at the ECC Family Social (5/21/24). 

Kindergarten families will be placed in pods of 6-8 kids which will plan to connect a few times over the summer. Kindergarten families will also connect with other new families at the Welcome Reception for Parents of New Students (5/14/24) or at the Kindergarten Family Social (5/21/24). 
 
Students in grades 1-8 will be assigned a host family. The role of a host family is to help integrate a new family into our community, scheduling 2-3 playdates over the summer, and answering any questions they may have.
 
Our summer program in July is a great way to meet current and new WNS families.

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WNS is pleased to offer families the option to order delicious and healthy lunches during the school year for all grades Preschool-8 through the Organic Kids LA program. Ordering and payment is convenient through their simple, secure online system and must be done so in advance. Their program uses natural, local, and organic ingredients whenever possible, and all poultry and dairy products are antibiotic- and hormone-free. To maintain their commitment to being kind to the environment, their program uses 100% recyclable and compostable packaging.

In the Early Childhood Center, snacks are provided for all students. In grades K-8, students bring their own snacks from home.

WNS provides laptops for students starting in 3rd grade. In grades 3-5, students use Chromebooks which they leave at school. In grades 6-8, students use Macbooks which they take home. WNS keeps a supply of iPads for students in grades K-2.

We can't wait to see you!